Ministry of Defence launches K4 programme – grants for AI startups to strengthen the army

The Ministry of Defence of Ukraine has announced the launch of the K4 Startup Studio programme, aimed at supporting the development of military AI startups. The goal is to develop solutions that ensure a technological edge on the battlefield. The initiative is being implemented with the support of Germany’s Federal Ministry of Defence and the Better Regulation Delivery Office (BRDO).

K4 introduces a new model of government engagement: the programme brings together developers, military experts, and world-class mentors.

The Ministry of Defence has identified four key challenges that directly address the needs of the military. To participate in the program, teams will submit solutions addressing these challenges. Teams may also propose their own AI solutions for the defense sector. The complete list of challenges is available on the website: k4.mod.gov.ua.

Participants will be selected in a multi-stage process. Up to ten teams will be chosen from among the candidates to participate in the programme, with four of them receiving grants of $250,000 each for their technological solutions. The teams will be assessed twice by a specially established Grant Committee, comprising military experts and end users of new battlefield technologies.

Each selected team will initially participate in a 4-month intensive development programme featuring mentorship from top Ukrainian and international experts, operational testing, and direct feedback from the military. Following this, teams will undergo 6 months of individual support aimed at securing investment and/or concluding a government procurement contract.

The K4 Startup Studio model is built on the best practices of accelerators. The primary benefit for startups is direct engagement with end users and the opportunity to scale their solutions into the actual defense system. For investors, it offers rapid access to technologies that have been tested in wartime conditions.

“In Ukraine, artificial intelligence is already undergoing combat testing. We are not just adapting — we are setting the trends. We have real examples of AI being used effectively in combat conditions — that is why we believe in this field and are inviting partners to invest in Ukrainian innovations. K4 is a programme for those ready to turn their code into a weapon in the hands of our defenders,” said Kateryna Chernohorenko, Deputy Minister of Defence for Digital Development, Digital Transformation, and Digitalization.

Applications are open until August 15, 2025, at k4.mod.gov.ua.